I write what I feel like writing :) Besides that, I like to talk about my week, photography, YouTube videos and books. I'm a sophomore and I live in Panama/Tampa. I like to travel and experience new adventures.
Twitter and Instagram: @staceaileen

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Things I'm excited about February:First of all, February as always been my favorite month because my birthday's in February! Besides that, we are (well, I was) in the middle of summer vacations. 1. My Birthday!2. The Superbowl 2014, but most of all I'm excited about the halftime show because Bruno Mars is performing this year's!3. Disney and Busch Gardens trip with Tio Ricky!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

This is the first craft I've ever sewn by myself and I'm pretty darn proud of it (specially because I never stitched my self *phew). I saw this idea online a couple of weeks ago and it was until today that I bought the sewing kit. I followed the first couple steps from Macy's Mess and kind of took over when it came to sewing since it was kind of obvious where you had to sew. I made a lot of mistakes on the way, getting the thread all tangled up but at the end the sewing became a smooth movement. The final product is not perfect, I have to say. But I'm gonna use it nonetheless because it was my creation from zero. I still don't know what to do with the edges since it's a fraying material, any thoughts on that?Here are the photos of the wallet:

Saturday, January 25, 2014

When I was in high school and friends with Rod, we carpooled very day since we were neighbors. On our way to my mom's car I noticed that he was missing a button from his shirt and asked him why, he did the motion of pulling both sides of his shirt to demonstrate how he lost it and BOOM! He lost a second one, now he was buttonless times two haha! I'm telling this story because yesterday when we were sky ping I decided to munch on a banana, and he craved it too since he saw me. He asked me "hey, wanna see how I eat the last bite of the banana? I just squeeze the end so it pops into my mouth" when he did squeezed his banana the whole thing fell to the floor! It was sad because it was half of the banana that fell down, and of course he ate it after it touched the floor... typical Rod. Retails of An Old Story: The Button

Today I went with Courtney to a free color run the EWB (Engineers Without Borders) was hosting at the USF trails. We actually got there on time and we were the 3rd bracket so when we got there we thought it was our turn to run, turns out the 1st bracket was barely beginning and we ran along side them. We got color all over us, we mostly got red, blue and purple though. It was really fun, specially because Courtney was with me, if she wasn't with me I wouldn't have gone at all. We mostly walked, lol, and only ran on the paint throwing parts so nobody would think we walked the whole circuit. We plan on doing more marathons, but first, we have to train (A LOT) haha.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Monday was MLK day, that means no classes! Sadly that also means homework day :( I had a rough night the night before because Abby was being super noisy at 2 am! I surely cannot understand how people can be so inconsiderate... I woke up around 10 am and I ate like a pig! I felt so bad I did three short workouts, I jogged/walked, did yoga and some abs. I'm so not ready for Tuesday :( I don't want to go to class. From now on I'll try for every dinner to be just fruits and veggies, I'll try really really hard!I only had one class on Tuesday and it was Fundamentals of Leadership, I'm loving that class more and more as the time goes. It's fun to do dynamic activities to learn about leadership, this class we had an auction on values and we had to bid depend ending on war values we prioritized. I planned to go to yoga but the class was full :( I also felt so guilty about eating so much crap the day before I only ate fruit (and pop corn, shh) for dinner. I'm really loving having mandarins for snacks or meals :)

Wednesday was the heavy duty day, with three classes and homework to do. I got to talk to Courtney again, she asked me to go to an engineering club meeting with her but I couldn't because of physics homework. I'm happy because I really want to be her friend, and we are going to a color run this weekend! I got my penny board in the mail today! Major fail: I fell and scrapped my leggins :'( Major win: I only fell once! Hooray for Stacy! Thursday I went to the University Mall in search of a new beanie because I can't find the one I had *sigh, I looked in Aeropostale, Macy's and Sears and NOTHING! I can't believe Aeropostale didn't have any. I went afterwards to Publix to buy groceries and then took a little nap, a nap that was interrupted with loud music! I got in touch with Tio Ricky for the Orlando trip I'm tagging along with, and we got all settled up, I'm so excited! I bought an ice cream (now I feel so guilty...) and I went in my penny board to get it and didn't fall off! I felt so guilty about the ice cream I went to the gym and burned almost 300 cal running, I'm so proud of myself. It was 8 degrees outside and I was walking to the gym in my shorts, and I was NOT freezing ;) I got back and showered, by the time I got out there were a bazillion people outside and I got shy and ran to my room, now I'm craving bread, which is on my desk outside, and I'm afraid to go out. I have an optional class on Fridays, and that doesn't make it any ease to wake up in the morning since it's my earliest class. Nonetheless, I woke up (tired and sleepy) and went to class. I had a nice walk back with Ricardo to the MSC and then biked to Target to buy a freeing beanie. Target only had one beanie that I liked :( and if I one another one like the one I had I have to wait until next weekend when I go to International Plaza with RJ. The saddest part is that the Target beanie costed over $12 and the Forever 21 one only costed $3! I decided to go to Target without a hoodie thinking it was gonna get warmer... very bad idea. I was freezing all the way there and back. I also bought a yoga mat! (although I forgot to use my coupon *damn it) I went to the library at 1 to work through some physic problems with Courtney, and I Penny Boarded there and fell! (yes again...) only this time on my butt and God that hurt, the bruise's coming and I know it. It was a little awkward at the library because Courtney's friend was there and sitting in between us but when he left it was a smooth sail, as always with Court. On my way to my dorm I fell again .-. I don't know why I even keep typing it if it's obvious when I penny board that I fall. I scraped the opposite side of the ankle (whatever that's called). I got my camera lens mug today too! It's so pretty <3.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

When I was young, around 6 or 7, I was very into reading. I wanted to be just like my mom. I had a book and I remember it having the story of the Sleeping Beauty, it had other princesses stories too but that's the one I liked. I saw my mom highlighting some lines in a book or newspaper and I asked her for one of her highlighters. Then she told me how it was done, and from then I highlighted every singly line from that book as I read it. Kind of like a bookmark so you know where you left off. Retails of An Old Story: The Highlighter

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

WHAT IS A NICKNAME ONLY YOUR FAMILY CALLS YOU?
Hmm I kinda don't have any nickname from my family, but all my friends call me Titi :)

WHAT IS A WEIRD HABIT OF YOURS?
When I walk on a sidewalk I like to count how many steps I can fit in every segment (the squares between the separation line) and try to keep the number constant #SoNormal

DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD PHOBIAS?
I consider my phobias quite normal, I have a phobia for being alone in the dark.

WHAT'S A SONG YOU SECRETLY LOVE TO BLAST WHEN YOU'RE ALONE?
Navigate Me by Cute is What We Aim For

WHAT'S ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVES?
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people touch my stuff, specially strangers. Also when people sit or lay on my bed, even my friends, I don't like it.

WHAT'S ONE OF YOUR NERVOUS HABITS?
I don't stop moving my hands and practically I don't stop moving my body. I kind of jump in my own place while moving my hands pretty quickly. Is that normal?

WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON?
The side that is facing the door. Wanna know why? So nobody kills me from the back lol.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST STUFFED ANIMAL AND WHAT WAS HIS NAME?
Hmmm I think I had a doll before having any stuffed animals, yet I don't remember her name :(

WHAT'S THE DRINK YOU ALWAYS ORDER AT STARBUCKS?
If it's Fall I order a Cinnamon Toast Frappuccino, and if it's everything but Fall I normally don't drink Starbucks unless I'm craving hot chocolate or something similarly simple.

WHAT'S THE BEAUTY RULE YOU PREACH... YET NEVER ACTUALLY PRACTICE?
I don't go around preaching beauty rules first of all, and I don't practice any either. Yeah... I'm a lost case haha.

WHICH WAY DO YOU FACE IN THE SHOWER?
Towards the sprinkler.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WEIRD BODY SKILLS?
Well, I can fold my tongue into three but I find that pretty common.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD THAT'S BAD FOR YOU BUT STILL EAT IT ANYWAYS?
Three words for you: MAC AND CHEESE.

WHAT'S A PHRASE OR EXCLAMATION YOU ALWAYS SAY?
I don't think I have any, however I always greet friends with "Que Xopa".

TIME TO SLEEP: WHAT ARE YOU ACTUALLY WEARING?
My PJs?... Usually a baggy PJ with Sesame Street characters or TMNT.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

If you don't love her, you won't love yourself. If you disrespect her, you'll disrespect yourself. If you wish her bad, you are wishing bad for yourself. Don't hate your mother, since you are the seed of her blossom. If you love her, you will love yourself. If you respect her, you will respect yourself. If you wish her good, she will make sure you are good and taken care of. Love your mother, she'd give the world for you. I love you Mom <3

I don't think I've ever had this dream that seemed so far yet it felt easy to achieve. I usually dream big, and when I say big I mean like travel the world for a whole year. But I've had this dream poking my heart every night since last year, and it has been to write my own book and publish it. God knows I love to read, I like to eat books (LIKE REALLY, EAT THEM jk) and I always come up with these plots for stories but I never write it down. One day I decided to sit down and write a story I had been thinking about, and it has taken me month and a half to write only three chapters, that is around ten pages.

The book is a love story, it is a Young Adult book. And the main character's name is Elise. I won't tell much (i.e. nothing) about the story because I want to finish it first, but this is a dream I've had for a while now, and unlike other dreams of mine, this one is actually achievable. The book has no title but I'm looking for something simple such as just "Elise" or something around there. I would die if I finish this book and it gets published, like this is something I would like to do as a career. Not a career really, but more like a gratifying (maybe paying, if I'm good) hobby. Let's hope for the best!"I got lost in his eyes, he was different than any other Chinese guy I've ever seen. His eyes were gray instead of dark chocolate like every other Asian"."Corey said while smiling away. I could see his sparkling eyes from a mile away".

Saturday, January 18, 2014

In honor of MLK day (Martin Luther King, jr.) USF coordinates a community service day where thousands of students volunteer to help in over 40 different areas in the community, that including Metropolitan Ministries, children's hospital, senior houses, farmer's markets, and more. This year we reached over 2500 volunteers and helped our community in honor of MLK.

I got assigned in group 9, we went to a local farmer's market to help launch it. This farmer's market was run by a USF alumni and his plans are big, he wants his farmer's market to be as known as the Pike Place. I think it's awesome that he's doing a farmer's market in this area since there are none, and our healthiest nearest stop is in Sweet Bay where everything is hell-a expensive. Our groups was composed of nine girls and we all got along great. We helped set up the produce, making signs with they price tag and drawing posters promoting the local market. I couldn't believe at first how cheap they were selling their produce, 3 oranges for just $1.00! That's insane! The launch of this market was suppose to be a soft launch, meaning that they only wanted to test the routine and that they had everything they needed; however, a good amount of customers show up and bought a couple of things. I'm so happy I could be part of this thoughtful event and help those who want to help the community. You are so focus in waiting to receive something that you forget those who are giving it to you might also need help. After the work was done we came back to free food in the greek village! And I delighted myself with a Papa John's pizza and a FUNNEL CAKE! I kid you not, a home made FUNNEL CAKE!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Teas have always been a beverage I avoided in Chinese restaurants, always asking for a soda or just water. I was always told that tea was a cleanser for your body and was made from natural ingredients. My grandma told me the story about the creation of tea, that was a very long time ago in Asia when a king began drinking it, I don't remember so well the story but it was used for medicinal purposes just like today. I've been trying to cleanse my body since I got to college, since I'm no longer distracted with family dinners and outings with my friends to crappy restaurants. I decided to drink a cup of tea every night this January, so I bought my first two flavors the weekend I made that choice. So on I bought two more flavors to expand my horizons, and now I'm craving to buy some more and more until I find the perfect flavor. The first tea I bought was Tazo: Wild Sweet Orange, which to no ones surprise tasted like orange. I did not like this one very much and since I bought it I've only drank it once.

The second type of tea I bought was Organic Herbal Tea Tropical Hibiscus by Simply Balanced. Simply Balanced is a well known Target brand, and it's mostly known because all of its products are organic. I'm really attracted to organic food mostly because my whole life has been based on highly processed food. THIS is my favorite tea! I had already tasted the hibiscus flavor in a Starbucks drink, but this tea was DELISH!

I know each type of tea helps for different purposes, but I've heard green tea is the best of all. That's why I decided to buy green tea. I didn't know either that some teas contained coffee, so now I always check the ingredients before buying any. That's why I bought a decaffeinated Lipton green tea. Lipton is a very famish brand for tea and is mostly known for its iced tea. Green tea is good flavor, is very simple. It kind of reminds me to the tea Chinese restaurants serve.

The las tea I've bought is from a brand I had never heard of: Harney and Sons Fine Tea, and it's the black tea flavor. There were other choices of different combinations of black tea, such was with coconut, cinnamon and many more but I like it simple. What I really like about this tea is the packaging. I mean who wouldn't like to take a tea back out of a beautifully made tin can, and talk about those tea bags! Those are not your normal paper tea bags, that's for sure. However, I'm not a big fan of black tea.

I hope that throughout the years I buy different kinds of tea from all around the world and finish acquiring my taste for tea. Many teas are not that delightful to me because I'm just starting this tea business but I do hope to get plenty of different types of tea in the future to the point where it's a delight having so much to choose from, just like the potpourri chocolate boxes where you have one of each flavor and you never know which one to get.

On Monday I did my usual and went to classes, it's kind of fun to have Ricardo next to me, he's a funny guy. Armando is cool too, but he sometimes gets lost in the subject and starts Einsteining on me haha. I did a couple of errands throughout the day, I bought post stamps to deliver a letter to Alex, and I paid my study abroad deposit. I was supposed to Skype with Alex but she bailed on me... again *sigh, she could only Skype with me for a max of 10 minutes and I was not okay with that. On Tuesday I had my first physics lab, and it was totally what I did not expect. I expected something similar to my physic labs in high school but today was just solving a couple of problems individually. Maybe the future labs will be different but I kind of liked this style. I prefer physic labs to chemistry labs because we don't have to do reports! Woohoo!! I also had Fundamentals of Leadership today, and that is a fun class. It's long, yeah, but I like it because of the dynamics and the people. Since I'm surrounded by leaders those three hours I feel kind of more comfortable. At night I went to the gym and also to yoga class, yoga is pretty intense guys, don't let the welcoming the sun poses fool you. After yoga, I stopped for food because I was starving and had a couple of pizzas and a sandwich (I feel bad about it but don't judge me). I also finally got to Skype with Alex, gosh I'd been waiting FOREVAH! I also skyped with Dorianne since she was there listening to us XD

I sent a letter to Stitch, I hope he writes me back!

On Wednesday I dressed up lazily because it was going to be chilly outside, so I grabbed a pair of leggins, my Bruno Mars concert tee, my GAP hoodie and lazed on my boots. It was an OK day, I mean, I did nothing out of the extraordinary... On Thursday I had signed up to volunteer at Metro Min, but when the time came and I woke up I decided to not go. I went to Publix after lunch and bought tons of healthy stuff, and when I say tons it means like 4 or 5 haha. I also decided to go for a jog on the coldest day of the week, it was like 13 degrees outside but when you are running you can feel the wind in your face and it's horrible. On Friday I went to my Econ class and I finally wore my TMNT sweatshirt! It was cold, but it was worth it. After class I volunteered to help with the preparations for the SOS (Stampede of Service) but when I got there, there was nothing I could help with so I just left... how awkward. I went to Target afterwards because I'm planning on something to give Rod on Valentine's day, I came back and realized I forgot to buy a glue stick FML, so I stopped by the bookstore and instead bought some double-sided tape. Good I stopped at the bookstore because I found the perfect item to include in Patty's birthday box :) Then I spent the rest of the day making Rod's gift, it literally took me like three to four hours! That's how dedicated I am, don't ever forget it Rod. I also finally got my refund check back!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

You know one of those awkward moments when someone recognizes you in public and you don't have a clue as to who they are? Yup. That happened to me yesterday and the MSC Food Court. I was in line to get some Panda Express, yummy, and I was behind two Asian girls. I kept looking at her (discreetly, kind of) because I kind of recognized her face but I had no clue from where. I thought it was from an engineering club and her name was Di Li, wrong was I. Her: OMG! Stacy! I thought that was you!Me: Oh hi! (big pause between oh and hi trying to remember her name)Her: So how's it going?Me: Good, are you still going to the meetings? (thinking she was from the engineering club)Her: Oh, the lunches? No, have you?Me: Oh me neither (it clicked! I knew who she was now. She was in my certified leadership program, but I still couldn't remember her name)Her: Did you go back home this winter break?Me: Yeah and you?Her: NoMe: Oh, so when are you planning to go? This summer?Her: No this summer I'll take a few classes and then fly to Canada to visit a friendMe: Oh have you ever been to Canada?Her: Yeah I used to study thereMe: (*facepalm) Oh yeah, yeah I remember. We said our goodbyes and on my way out was when I remembered her name: Cynthia.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Along the years and the many different types of friendships I've had I can talk about two that really stand out: girlfriends and SOS BFFs. Personally I have both types of these kinds of friends, and I like them both, but I do classify myself in one of those categories. GIRLFRIENDSThese are the kind of BFFs you always find reading about in YA books, where the best friend always comes before the boyfriend. Currently I'm reading one right now lol. I find myself in this category, where I like to keep up with my friendships on a weekly basis, either texting, or skyping. I consider friendships a very important bond considering all I've been through and since then I've learned to never let them go or consider them in the palm of my hand. SOS BFFsSOS BFFs are the kind of friends that are close to you and can go without talking to you for months and when they talk to you everything feels the same. No hard feelings, and mostly joy overflowing after months of not seeing each other. What happens when you mix these two kinds of friendships is chaos. The girlfriend thinks the SOS doesn't care and the SOS thinks the girlfriend is suffocating her. The key to this relationship, as to every other, is to compromise. To compromise, respect and tolerate each other's belief.

This is not a themed tag, is more like a personal tag. Let's begin! But first I have to throw out a green smoothie that turned out bad :S it was a mistake to add carrot juice.
Okay, let's start:

1. THING YOU CANNOT LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?
I would say my iPhone, but in needed times all I need is my handkerchief.

2. FAVORITE BRAND OF MAKE UP?
I don't usually wear makeup, but since I have a pretty delicate skin my dermatologist recommended using clinique. And since then, my skin doesn't act out after removing my make up so thumbs up Dr. Santiago!

3. FAVORITE CLOTHING STORE?
Come on... everyone knows that a girl's best friend is Forever 21 when it comes to clothing.

4. FAVORITE PERFUME?
My favorite perfume right now is Sunshine by GAP.

5. FAVORITE FLOWERS?
Hmmm.. I don't know much about flowers so I'd say any that has the color blue in it.

6. HEELS OR FLATS?
Heels. I'm too short to wear flats :(

7. DO YOU MAKE GOOD GRADES?
I think so, I think I don't but it all just depends on your perspective and standards.

8. FAVORITE COLORS?
BLUE. Everyone know that, but I also like gray. My two favorite shades of blue are navy blue and teal.

9. DO YOU DRINK ENERGY DRINKS?
Nope, I was told a thousand times it was bad for you in Biology class.

10. DO YOU DRINK JUICE?
What kind of question is this? Jesus...

11. DO YOU LIKE SWIMMING?
I actually prefer diving, but I like being in the pool.

12. DO YOU EAT FRIES WITH A FORK?
Yeap, but if there's no other way I'd eat it with my fingers. I also eat my nuggets and chicken tenders with a fork.

14. DO YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED LATER ON IN LIFE?
Yes, and just once please.

15. DO YOU GET MAD EASILY?
Yes, but I'm trying to fix that.

16. ARE YOU INTO GHOST HUNTING?
No.. O.o

17. ANY PHOBIAS?
I hate being alone in the dark, and I also have a phobia with snakes.

18. DO YOU BITE YOUR NAILS?
No, but I do take off my pen's cap and put it back continuously when I'm nervous.

19. HO YOU BITE YOUR NAILS?
Actually yes, once in Decameron I was playing to jump the waves with my cousin and I missed one and it dragged me into the deep ocean. My grandpa came to the rescue and then I had a blackout.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

So my birthday is kind of around the corner, February 2nd, and whenever I'm asked I never know what I want for my birthday. As a favor to Rod I will post a list of what I would like for my 19th birthday :)

1. A really cheap gift would be a Harry Potter bracelet I saw on Amazon.

2. A cute/geeky tea cup such as:

3. Anything that has to do with TMNT (sweatshirts, action figures, anything).

I'm such a fan of Full House I could tell you each line by heart (almost every line). I've always wanted to do a quiz about the series because everyone I would find in the internet were just too easy, so this is the ultimate Full House quiz created by myself to others.

5. WHAT TEAM DOES ALEX MAKE IT IN JESSE AND REBECA'S DAYDREAM ABOUT THE TWIN'S FUTURE IN SEASON 5?
a. basketball
b. baseball
c. football mascot
d. chess

answer: d

6. WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF REBECA'S COUSIN'S FAMILY THAT COMES TO VISIT FOR THE TWIN EXPO?
a. Dick, Donna, Debby and Darla
b. Dick, Dora, Debby and Dorian
c. Dick, Donna, Diddy and Debby
d. none of above

37. WHAT WAS JESSE'S LAST NAME IN SEASON ONE?
a. Katsopolis
b. Stamos
c. Cochran
d. Harper

answer: c

38. WHERE DO THE TANNER'S LIVE?
a. San Diego
b. LA
c. San Francisco
d. Sacramento

answer: c

39. WHAT DID DANNY HAD BOXED IN THE ATTIC TO REMEMBER HIS CHILDHOOD?
a. from his aztec collection to his zorro sword
b. from his ant farm to his zorro sword
c. from his arc and bow to his zorro sword
d. from his first Ajax bottle to his zorro sword

answer: b

40. WHAT WAS THE LAST LINE OF THE SERIES?
a. "Just like we always do"
b. "We'll always be together"
c. "Just like we always will"
d. "I love you"

Friday, January 10, 2014

Monday was the first day of classes and I had it totally packed. First I went to Engineering Economics and I was lucky Armando, Ricardo and Victoria were in the same class as me. I bought my very first burrito at Moe's and it was the yummiest, I'll definitely buy more! Next I had physics, I was kind of excited because I like the curriculum of the class and I've heard wonders of the professor. The professor is super awesome and he's very funny, the class felt kinda long though. I went to the bookstore to pick up my books and I also bought Kaitlyn a gift since her birthday is tomorrow, I got her mustache tattoos that you put in your finger! I had calc II at 7 pm and the professor is some old guy with kind of a Russian accent that speaks so low #fml, and the class felt endless! When I got back I was starving because I forgot to have dinner before going to calculus, and I ended the night with a cup of tea from Simply Organic. I'm trying to drink more tea and eat healthier, yesterday I went to Publix and bought a lot of fruit; I bought grapes, blueberries, mangoes, bananas, cuties, and milk.

Tuesday was freaking cold! The high was 8 degrees celsius and the low was 0, the weather channel said it felt like -3. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be but it was definitely cold. It's also my roommate's birthday and surprisingly she liked her gift. I went to my physics lab class and my leadership course. The leadership class was fun, we had a rock, paper, scissor competition and a bingo game (of people instead of numbers). At night me and my suite mates went to The Cheesecake Factory with a couple of Kaitlyn's friends because of her birthday! It was my first time eating there, and I rode with Ricki, Grace and Peyton. It was a fun-non-awkward ride and it was fun :) I had a burger and a Key Lime Cheesecake, on the way back we got lost and were headed the wrong way towards St. Petersburg because one road we had to take was close, anyways I laughed a lot and it was fun.

Wednesday was one of those days where it's just a struggle to get up, I mailed my USF transcript to my mom so she can submit my scholarship application and went to class. I find physics class interesting and funny but at the same time I get so sleepy, the class hour is just too long -.-'. I went to the gym after calculus and felt pretty great because I ran at a constant speed for half an hour.

I didn't have class on Thursday so I woke up to run a couple of errands. I tried to do the physics homework, which Courtney told me it wasn't mandatory so I left it halfway through; I got stuck it the middle to so I would have stopped either way. I also tried reading my leadership material but que va. Today was a pretty boring day, the only exciting part of my day was when I received my Forever 21 package and watched Catching Fire. I thought I would never see that movie but curiosity won me over.

My only Friday class was canceled so I decided to do all my errands, I intended to pay the study abroad deposit but the line was too long because today's the deadline to pay tuition so I decided to take care of that next week. I pumped some air into my bike's tires, they were super flat and I keep wondering why I didn't realize earlier on. I bought my physics lab manual at pro-copy and grocery shopped. I bought bananas, apples, tofu, lettuce, and milk; a pretty simple and healthy meal plan for this week. I napped, played Nintendo, watched YouTube, and time just seem to go slower each time. I had a tofu salad for dinner and ended the day doing absolutely nothing productive.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Tags are big on YouTube right now, and they have been for a long time. Since I'm more of a blog person I decided to do tags every week right here, just for the fun of it.
This week's tag is a HARRY POTTER tag since I'm so in love with the series.

FAVORITE BOOK?
I would say my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, since I like when they explained how to defeat Voldemort and Tom Riddle's origin. Also, I have only ready three books, the first one and the last two and I don't really have much to choose from.

FAVORITE MOVIE?
My favorite movie is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, I know everyone's favorite is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban but Goblet of Fire actually made me cry when Cedric dies.

LEAST FAVORITE BOOK?
Then again I've only read two books but many years ago I tried reading Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix and couldn't finish because I found it kind of boring. However, from the books I have read I would say the first one because It's kind of oriented for children.

PART OF THE BOOK/MOVIES THAT MADE YOU CRY?
Apart of Cedric's death, I cried when the Weasley twin died. What made me cry in Cedric's death was not the actual death but the father's reaction.

IF YOU COULD HOOK UP WITH ANY HP CHARACTER WHO WOULD IT BE?
Hmmm, I think I would choose Neville Longbottom. He ended up being the most handsome of the cast.

FAVORITE CHARACTER?
Obviously Hermionie, without her none of the missions would've followed through. They would have died in the first movie when they fell in the plant trap.

WHAT WOULD YOUR PATRONUS BE?
It would be either an otter or a phoenix.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OF THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS WHICH WOULD IT BE?
I would have the Invisibility Cloak, because the other two are very powerful and you could get killed for them.

WHAT HOUSE WOULD YOU BE IN?
I actually did the housing survey in the pottermore website and I got into Slytherin.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANY MEMBER OF THE CAST WHO WOULD IT BE?
I would love to meet Alan Rickman, which played Severus Snape.

IF YOU WERE IN A QUIDITCH TEAM, WHICH POSITION WOULD YOU PLAY?
I would be the seeker because I'm kinda small and fast. Plus, I'm scared of the beaters.

WERE YOU HAPPY WITH THE ENDING?
I was more than happy with the ending. I love that Harry resurrected without the resurrection stone, and he decided that it was better to die than to resurrect. Some people don't know, but Harry didn't die because the wand belonged to Harry and a wand can't kill its master.

HOW MUCH DOES HARRY POTTER MEAN TO YOU?
I think it's better to ask what does hp mean to me, because it's clear that it means a lot. Harry Potter represents my childhood basically. And whenever I want to revisit it, I can just watch a Harry Potter marathon.

This is all for the Harry Potter tag, next tag will be in next week's post.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

So I'm back in Tampa to start my second semester at USF. I woke up at 4 am to take a flight from Panama to Miami at 8 am. I walked miles and miles in the MIA since I was dropped in the last terminal and I had to be in the first one. I got an error twice in the check-in yourself machine in American Airlines and almost did an unnecessary line if i wasn't that I wanted to try a third time. Now machines print your own baggage sticker and give you your boarding pass so you just have to literally drop your bag in the counter.
I had Pizza Hut for lunch since I was starving because I slept the whole previous flight and then I played some Nintendo DS while waiting for my next flight. When I got back I was kind of confused about what I had to do to take my shuttle but I quickly cleared the matter.
I got here and unpacked in about 15 minutes and was starving because I only ate half my lunch. Fresh Foods and the Convenience Store were close so I had to take the Bull Runner to the University Mall and buy something to get rid of my starvation. I ended up having Auntie Anne's for dinner because I wasn't craving any of the other choices.
It was a really agitated day, but thank God I made it here.

Although it seemed stressful or confusing, I like traveling by myself. I feel like a big girl :)

And about Tampa, the weather is so awesome right now! This week is going to go as low as 0 degree Celsius which is wicked for Florida. I'm totally loving this weather and I hope it stays like this until late February-early March.

Friday, January 3, 2014

On Monday I drove to my grandma's because Acun was going to take Patty's 15th birthday photo shoot and my grandma wanted me there to pose her, I got there and nobody was there but Eli so I played some Nintendo for about an hour until Tia Marilu got there. Then Apo, Acun and Patty got there with KFC and we ate. I don't know why Apo wanted me there if Acun did't let me pose her or anything... At 4 pm I left because Rod made a surprise dinner for me in Friday's since I'm leaving this Saturday, but it wasn't really a surprise because he told me about it haha. Only Vivianne, Andrew, Juan Diego and Alfonso came and I had ribs for dinner; afterwards we went to Rod's to play some poker and copy cat. It was a fun night, however I did lost three of my Nintendo 3DS games at my grandma's :(

On Tuesday I did nothing until like 6 pm that I started to get ready to go to my grandma's to celebrate the New Year. My cousins and I (sans Cristy) played some games along with Tia Marilu, we played Apples to Apples and we learned how to play Mahjong (is that how it's written?). My mom coached me, and dad helped Patty and Apo helped Yoyi. I won a couple of times but that game is seriously wicked, it has like a million terms and something weird to do with the wind. We ended up just playing without keeping scores. Then, we tuned in to Fox and watched the ball drop.

On Wednesday, the first day of 2014, I went out for lunch with the Kam Family. That includes my grandma, my uncle Ricky and Aunt Betty, my three cousins and two of their girlfriends. I kind of like Richie's girlfriend, Maria, she's kind of cool and easy to talk to. The food was not that bad and it had a broad variety, we went to Riu's buffet like we do every New Year. uncle Ricky told me that he, aunt Betty and Rafa are going to Disney on February and I decided to tag along, so I'm gonna go to Disney in mid-February!

On Thursday I woke up early, and when I say early I mean around 9 am, which really is early; to go breakfast dim sum with the losers. It was me, Alfonso, Vivianne, Andrew and Juan Diego. Rod didn't go because he was feeling guilty for eating so much in New Year's Eve. I didn't have much, just a couple of Ha Kaos, one Ham Pao and a Wanton. Then we came to my house to hang out, unluckily Vivianne had to go so it was just me and the boys. We played Monopoly, this time it was different because we made deals outside of the game so it was really hard to win. Alfonso, started super powerful with all these territories, but ended with very little money. He survived with a little amount of money for more than half of the game which was surprising. At the end, Rod won. I had a headache so everyone left and I rested a bit. At night I texted Brandon because I needed my Divergent book because I'm gonna sell it to Diana and I ended up talking with him for hours and hours. I went to his house around 9 pm and left at midnight. I always forget how fun to talk to Brandon is.

On Friday, Diana stopped by to buy my Divergent books and we chatted a little, then Rod came over to hang out for the last time in a long time. I'm gonna miss him so much, but I know everything is gonna be alright. Mom, Dad and I went to La Mexicanita for dinner, my favorite restaurant and that's pretty much it. It was a very lay back day.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

I read 50 books last year! That's the largest amount of books I've read in a single year, and I never stopped; I mean, I started reading from January and kept reading until December. I even read entire series in half a week depending on the amount of books.

My Good Reads Awards

Best Series: Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Best Romance: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Best Fiction: Matched by Allie Condie

Worst Ending: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Most Addictive: Avoiding Series by K.A. Linde

Best Trilogy: Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han

Most Unexpected Twist: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Most Commonly Read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Characters I Grew Fond of: Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

Best Plot: Ruby Red Series by Kerstin Gier

Most Read Author: Rick Riordan

List of books I read (in descending order of date read):

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Free Four: Tobias Tells the Story - Veronica Roth

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han

It's Not Summer Without You - Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer - Jenny Han

Matched - Ally Condie

I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore

The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore

The Rise of Nine - Pittacus Lore

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

Wait for You - J. Lynn

Crossed - Ally Condie

Reached - Ally Condie

Tales of the Madman Underground - John Barnes

Avoiding Commitment - K.A. Linde

Avoiding Responsibility - K.A. Linde

The Last Days of Lorien - Pittacus Lore

Avoiding Intimacy - K.A. Linde

Jesus is: Find a New Way to be Human - Judah Smith

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 - Richard Paul Evans

It's Kind of a Funny Story - Ned Vizzini

Ruby Red - Kerstin Gier

Saphire Blue - Kerstin Gier

Michael Vey: Rise of Elgen - Richard Paul Evans

Torn - K.A. Robinson

Twisted - K.A. Robinson

Ten Tiny Breaths - K.A. Tucker

Falling Into You - Jasinda Wilder

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire

One Tiny Lie - K.A. Tucker

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson: The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan

45 Pounds: K.A. Barson

This is Where I Leave You - Jonathan Tropper

The Fall of Five - Pittacus Lore

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling

The Battle of the Ampere - Richard Paul Evans

The House of Hades - Rick Riordan

Allegian - Veronica Roth

Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization - John Wooden

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Many of you might have heard about the "DON'T BREAK THE CHAIN" calendar, which is a method Jerry Seinfeld introduced. It consists on setting a goal to do every single day and marking it on a calendar, when you have marked several you should feel the momentum going on, preventing you from breaking the chain. Also it keeps you motivated and it pressures you to maintain the crossing of days in the calendar. Here's the design I found in karenkavett.com

It doesn't matter if you start on January 1st or August 16th, what matters is not breaking the chain.